
SPECIAL INVESTIGATION 
of the 
Alaska Pur-seal Roulceries, 
1910, 




Pass ij> If 
Book H4- 



•o -'isnovaxs 

9U3MVW 



F 



DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LABOR 
BUREAU OF FISHERIES 

GEORGE M, BOWERS, Commis»5onef 



SPECIAL INVESTIGATION 

OF THE 

ALASKA FUR-SEAL ROOKERIES, 1910 



Bureau of Fisheries Document No, 748 




I ' 



WASHINGTON 
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 



DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LABOR 

BUREAU OF FISHERIES 

GEORGE M. BOWERS, Commissioner 



SPEQAL INVESTIGATION 



OF THE 



ALASKA FUR-SEAL ROOKERIES, 1910 



Bureau of Fisheries Document No. 748 




WASHINGTON 

GOVERNT^ENT PRINTING OFFICE 

19II 



s^^'' 

^K 



SPECIAL INVESTIGATION OF THE ALASKA 
FUR-SEAL ROOKERIES, I9I0 

By Harold Heath 

Professor of Invertebrate Zoology, Stanford University 



Bureau of Fisheries Document No. 748 



CONTENTS. 



Page. 

Brief sketch of natural history of the seal 3 

The rookeries 4 

Rookery development 4 

Harem counts 5 

Active bulls 6 

Idle bulls 7 

Young bulls 7 

Counts of idle and young bulls 8 

Breeding cows 8 

Counts of pups 9 

Estimates of cows and pups 10 

Yearlings and 2-year-olds 11 

The reserve 11 

Estimate of all classes 12 

The quota 13 

Conservation and some involved problems 13 

The question of an equilibrium of the herd 15 

The patrol and pelagic sealing 16 

The pelagic catch 18 

Cows in drives 19 

Causes of death 19 

Ages of seals 20 

Appendix — Extract from field notes 21 

2 



SPECIAL INVESTIGATION OF THE ALASKA FUR-SEAL 
ROOKERIES, I9I0. 



By Harold Heath, 
Professor of Invertebrate Zoology, Stanford University. 



Under the act of Congress of April 21, 1910, involving various 
changes in the administration of the Pribilof Islands and the seal 
fisheries and providing for the appointment of additional officers 
and employees, it was decided that a naturalist should be designated 
to study and report upon the condition of the seal herd. Pending 
the selection of a permanent occupant of this position, to take effect 
July 1 under the law, the v/riter was sent to the islands as a special 
investigator to perform the naturalist's duties for the season which 
was already beginning. Observations were made on St. Paul Island, 
beginning June 29, the date of arrival on the island, and continuing 
until July 15, then for a week on St. George Island, and again on St. 
Paul until August 29. A report of these observations is contained 
in the following pages. 

I am indebted to the Government agents on the islands and to the 
officers of the revenue fleet for valuable data and many courtesies 
in connection with my work. 

BRIEF SKETCH OF NATURAL HISTORY OF THE SEAL. 

As popularly applied the term "seal" includes a fairly large group 
of aquatic mammals, such as the sea lion and the fur and hair seals, 
all of which bear a superficial resemblance to each other. Strictly 
speaking, the last named are the only ones deserving of the name. 
Unlike the hair seal, the fur seal, or sea bear, is able to progress 
readily on land, is able to hold its head erect, and its fore limbs, finlike 
in form, are used in swimming. Concerning its life at sea, we know 
that the seals of the Pribilof Islands spend their winter months along 
the western coast of North America, the adult females extending their 
migrations as far as southern California. Early in May the adult 
males or bulls begin to appear on the rookeries, where each is sub- 
sequently joined by 30 females on the average, the height of the 

3 



4 ALASKA FUR-SEAL ROOKERIES, 1910. 

breeding season occurring about the 15th of July. Shortly after her 
arrival each cow gives birth to a pup, and after a sojourn of perhaps 
two weeks, during which time she is served by the bull, she puts out 
to sea on the first of several journeys in search of food. 

During this time the young males or bachelors are arriving, and are 
usually found in groups on the outskirts of the rookeries. It is from 
these young males that the land catch of skins is made. 

Early in August disorganization of the harems commences. The 
greater number of cows have been served, the active bulls accord- 
ingly relax their vigilance, the idle bulls and those less mature wander 
about without serious molestation, the pups congregate at various 
points on shore or in the shallows, where they learn to swim, and as 
autumn advances the roving instinct becomes more and more appar- 
ent in all classes, finally leading to the abandonment of the shore early 
in November. 

THE ROOKERIES. 

In position and extent the rookeries have undergone but few changes 
since last year. The number of active bulls and the attendant harems 
have decreased slightly, but whether this indicates an actual decrease 
in the number of cows is doubtful, since the count of pups, as noted in 
a succeeding section, was made on one rookery only and the data 
derived therefrom are not perfectly trustworthy. The decline in the 
number of harems on St. Paul is most apparent on Gorbatch, the 
Zapadnis, and Tolstoi, where there are 55 less than in 1909. On 
the other hand, there are 47 more on the Reef, Kitovi, Polovina, 
and Vostochni. On St. George the very slight increase noted on 
Staraya Artel and Zapadni is almost exactly counterbalanced by a 
decline on North and East rookeries. 

Tliis year the fleet operated chiefly about Northeast Point and to 
the south and east between St. Paul and St. George, but the results of 
their operations do not appear to be so distinctly reflected in a corre- 
sponding decline of adjacent rookeries as in 1909. Such a definite 
effect requires that the seals put out to sea along radii centering in 
either one of the islands, but on numerous occasions I have watched 
cows, and especially bachelors, leaving the rookeries, and their course 
is far from being either direct or uniform. The problem, however, is 
of interest chiefly to the naturalist as matters rest at present, and is 
without any very practical bearing on the conservation of the herd. 

ROOKERY DEVELOPMENT. 

At present there appear to be no very definite problems associated 
with the development of the rookery, but following the custom 
observed for several years past counts of harems and cows were made 
whenever and wherever it was possible. Kitovi especially received 



ALASKA FUR-SEAL ROOKERIES, 1910. 5 

attention and as far as practicable was examined at intervals o£ about 
three days with the following results: 

Development of Kitovi Rookery, Season of 1910, as shown by Counts of 
Seals on Different Dates. 



Date. 



Harems. 


Cows. 


Reserve 
buUs. 


16 


27 


37 


32 


107 


24 


43 


326 


19 


47 


500 


14 


62 


929 


9 



Half 
bulls. 



June 30 
July 2. 
July 6. . 
July 9.. 
July 13. 



The past winter was unusually severe and long continued, delaying 
the breaking up of the drift ice, the melting of the snow, and the 
appearance of flowering plants for upward of tlii'ee weeks. It is 
interesting to note, however, that this delay did not affect the sum- 
mer resident birds, which put in an appearance at the customary 
time, though compelled in numerous instances to deposit their eggs 
on the snow. Nor did it hinder the migration of the seals, though 
several cows likewise took up positions on snow drifts, where they 
and the pups appeared to be unmindful of their unusual habitat. 



HAREM COUNTS. 

In accordance with the custom pursued in past years, the counts of 
harems were made as nearly as possible at the "height of the season," 
occurring July 12-16. Owing to stress of weather Sivutch, or Sea 
Lion Rock, rookery was not counted, but was estimated as containing 
61 harems, the number found last season. 

Summary of Harem Counts, 1910, and Comparison with 1897 and 1909.a 



Rookery. 


1897 


1909 a 


1910 


Rookery. 


1897 


1909 


1910 


St. Paul Island: 

Gorbatch 


308 

33 

454 

102 

179 

139 

143 

61 

40 

233 

910 

458 

176 

114 

295 

98 

115 


120 
11 

18-1 
61 
55 
39 
42 
23 
19 
45 

184 

147 
62 
11 
87 
25 
12 


112 
11 

206 
616 
62 
41 
50 
20 
12 
47 

204 

118 

54 

7 

77 

29 

9 


St. George Island: 
Little East 


46 
128 
133 

57 
196 


4 
65 
43 

42 
106 


4 
59 

47 
48 
103 


Ardiguen 


East 


Reef 




Sea Lion Rock 

Kitovi 


Staraya Artel 

North 


I-ukanin 


Total 


Polovina 


560 


260 


261 


Polovina Cliffs. . . . 


Grand total 


Little Polovina 


4,418 


1,387 


1,381 


Vostochni 




Zapadni 




Little Zapadni 

Zapadni Reef 

Tolstoi 




Tolstoi Cliffs 




Lagoon 








Total 


3,858 


1,127 


1,120 









a Figures for 1909 are those of Mr. George A. Clark. 



b Estimated. 



6 ALASKA FUE-SEAL ROOKERIES, 1910. 

Assuming that Sea Lion Rock is occupied by the same number of 
harems as in 1909 or neglecting it for both seasons, there are 7 fewer 
harems on St. Paul this year than last. 

Comparing the number of harems on St. George during the years 
1909 and 1910 there is 1 more, and when both islands are consid- 
ered 6 fewer. As there is one bull to a harem, this is another way only 
of stating that there are 6 fewer bulls this year than last; and obvi- 
ously such an estimate affords no indication whatever of the actual 
number of breeding cows. 

ACTIVE BULLS. 

The number of active bulls, each in control of a harem, is as just 
noted, somewhat smaller this year than last (as 1,387 to 1,381); but 
it is the universal verdict that as a class they have lost none of those 
characteristics that make them successful masters. As usual there 
was considerable skirmishing among them as the harems were form- 
ing, but the wounds infhcted were comparatively insignificant and 
no deaths were recorded. Early in the season one dead female was 
found on Gorbatch whose wounds may have been caused by a bull, 
and later six cows were seen on various rookeries that had been 
severely though not fatally slashed. 

In a few cases young bidls or "quitters" were found with harems 
on various rookeries, but usually they held sway on the outskirts of 
the community and joined the females in the mad rush to the sea 
whenever they were approached. It was the rare exception that 
they held a position in the more crowded portions of the rookery, 
where they would be called upon to defend their cows against the 
attempted inroads on the part of more seasoned harem masters. 

By some authorities it has been urged that this infusion of young 
male life into the general herd is beneficial, but in all probability its 
value is overestimated. It is not disclaimed that some animals are 
born wdth more vigorous constitutions than others, and that in all 
probability their offspring will be more hardy in consequence. And 
furthermore, it is a truism that in the struggle for existence it is a 
gain that the feeble are weeded out; but this is an entirely different 
question from the one relating to the effects of age. In the case of 
the female a long existence may lessen the production of milk or alter 
its composition, and consequently inhibit the proper nourishment 
of the offspring, but with the male no such argument may be brought 
forward. In the case of the race horse, which has been studied as 
much as any other mammal, attempts have been made to sliow that 
it is desirable to breed young males, and again, wdth essentially the 
same data, such a position has been attacked. To-day we know far 
less about the seal, but it is a safe proposition to argue in favor of 
perpetuating, as far as possible, those fully developed males that are 
able to protect their harems. 



ALASKA FUR-SEAL ROOKERIES, 1910. 7 

IDLE BULLS. 

These animals are victims of circumstances. Owing usually to 
an unfavorable location, they have failed to secure harems, though 
they are as physically able to control them as any of their class. 
Furthermore, the term '4dle" is a misnomer, for no one who has 
watched them on the rookeries would ever accuse them of being 
sluggish. On the other hand, they are aggressive in the extreme^ 
and especially during the height of the season engage in frequent 
quarrels with the harem masters, from whom they usually pilfer a 
small number of cows before the close of the season. 

It can not well be doubted that an excess of this class of animals 
is more or less of a menace to the normal, or at all events what appears 
to be the most successful, type of seal existence. Claims have been 
made to the effect that for untold ages the seal has fought the battle 
of life successfully and that in the present time the hand of man is 
not required to control his destinies. The first part of this statement 
is undeniably correct, but the last is open to criticism, for it assumes 
that the seal is to-day leading a normal existence. Unfortunately 
this is not true, for we know that the number of breeding cows is 
becoming alarmingly reduced. In the open Pacific the number of 
captured males and females may be approximately equal, but the 
Bermg Sea catch, as past records show, contains from 70 to 80 per 
cent of females. Since, on the average, there is 1 male to every 30 
cows in the harem, there must inevitably result an excess of males, 
an unnatural state of affairs, and the belief that in cutting down this 
excess we are conferring a benefit appears to rest on a firm founda- 
tion. 

This season the number of idle bulls was 221, not so great a number 
but that they were kept at bay until the disintegration of the harems 
had commenced, when they usually became the possessors of a small 
number of cows. 

YOUNG BULLS. 

Young bulls, otherwise known on the islands as ''quitters", are 
usually 6 or 7 years old, and at the approach of man retire. They 
frequently haul out with the bachelors or form a shifting fringe about 
the group of breeding seals. In rare cases they controlled harems, 
usually on the margins of the rookeries, and in a few cases were seen 
in the act of copulation. 

An accurate count of these animals was not made, unfortunately^ 
since a considerable number had hauled out with the bachelors and 
could not be numbered without interfering with subsequent drives. 
At the height of the season the number on the rookeries was 184, 
and at various times 386 in all were included in the drives. Some 
were doubtless driven more than once, but it seems certain that the 
95020°— 11 2 



8 



ALASKA FUR-SEAL ROOKERIES, 1910. 



actual number was at least 200, giving a total of 384. As the average 
life of the male is 13 years, of which 5 are spent as harem master, 
the decrease annually of the present active list is 276. It is appar- 
ent therefore that killing in the past has not been too close, and 
that there is a sufficient reserve at the present time. 

COUNTS OF IDLE AND YOUNG BULLS. 

The following count of idle and young bulls was made at the time 
the census of harems was taken. It was not possible without causing 
undue disturbance to enumerate members of the latter class that had 
hauled out with the bachelors on four important rookeries — Northeast 
Point, Gorbatch, the Reef, and Tolstoi. 

Counts of Idle and Young Bulls on St. Paul and St. George Islands, 1910. 



Rookery. 



St. Paul Island: 

Gorbatch 

Ardiguen 

Reef 

Kitovi 

Lukanin 

Polovina 

Polovina Cliffs. . 
Little Polovina. 

Morjovi 

Vostochni 

Zapadni 

Little Zapadni. 
Zapadni Reef... 
Tolstoi 



Idle 


Young 


bulls. 


bulls. 


12 


17 


1 




28 


17 


9 


9 


5 


11 


5 


12 


5 


5 


2 


7 


1 


1 


29 


26 


22 


13 


10 


8 




3 
6 


7 



Rookery. 



St. Paul Island— Continued. 

Tolstoi Cliffs 

Lagoon 

Total 

St. George Island : 

East 

Zapadni 

Staraya Artel 

North 

Total 

Grand total 



Idle 
bulls. 



Young 
bulls. 



184 



BREEDING COWS. 

While there is a stead}^ increase in the number of cows hauling out 
on any rookery for a month after the middle of June, a seagoing stream 
soon makes its appearance, consisting of cows en route to the feeding 
grounds after their pups are born. Hence at the "height of the 
season," about the middle of July, the number of cows on the beach 
is no true indication of the total number, nor does it always bear a 
constant ratio to the whole. Under certain circumstances, possibly 
due to climatic conditions, nearly the full complement may be present 
at the height of the season, and again in other years not over 30 per 
cent of the community may be on the rookery. It thus becomes 
apparent that such counts, of varying character from season to season, 
must be used with extreme caution, if at all, in estimating the entire 
number of females on any rookery or the annual decline or increase. 
As has been pointed out by others, we may arrive at an approximate 
estimate only by a count of the pups, and under that heading an 
attempt has been made to show that even here we must use the results 
with the greatest care in making a census of tlie herd. 



AT^ASKA FUR-SEAL ROOKERIES, 1910. 



9 



During the height of the season counts were made on the following 
rookeries : 

Counts of Cows on some St. Paul Rookeries during Height of Season, 

1897, 1909, and 1910. 



Rookery. 


1897 


1909 a 


1910 


Lagoon 


1,319 
1,286 
1,049 

470 
2,436 

654 


281 
698 
137 
207 
892 
127 


229 


Tolstoi Cliffs 


646 


Zapadni Reef 


78 


Ardiguen 


218 


Kitovi 


837 


Kitovi A mphitheater 


92 


Lukanin 


820 


Polovina Cliffs 






426 


Little Polovina 






421 












7,214 


2,342 


3,767 



a Counts of Mr. George A. Clark. 



COUNTS OF PUPS. 

Owing to the fact that all the cows are never present on the rook- 
eries at a given time, it is obvious that the onh' approach to an accu- 
rate census of the breeding females is to be made by counting all the 
pups on all the rookeries. Such a procedure is not only arduous but 
wasteful, since the cows in early August, when the counting is usually 
done, are readily driven into the sea and a portion must inevitabl}^ fall 
a prey to the pelagic sealer. Accordingly it was the custom, for 
several years prior to 1906, to count the pups on a number of rookeries, 
and with such data estimate the entire herd. In more recent times 
the number of such pup counts has become gradually lessened until 
this year Kitovi was the only rookery examined, with the following 
result: Total number of pups, 1,966; dead, 62. 

The implication that Kitovi is a typical average rookery must rest 
upon the assumption that it stands between those in which the decline 
is great and those in which it is at a minimum. As a matter of fact, an 
examination of the counts of Kitovi during the past four years shows 
that in reality it has been remarkably constant so far as the cows are 
concerned. Commencing with 1907 the number of pups each year is 
1,959, 1,960, 1,979, and this year there are 1,966. 

Last year there were 55 active bulls on Kitovi and 1,979 pups; this 
year there are 62 bulls and 1,966 pups. The average harem last year 
was 36 ; this year, 31.7; a difference due almost wholly to the increased 
number of active bulls. And, furthermore, this slight difference is of 
far-reaching importance when we come to consider the application of 
these data to the estimate of the entire herd. With 1,381 harems, 
each numbering 36 cows, the estimate would be 49,716; if each com- 
prised 31.7 cows there are then 43,777 in the breeding herd, a differ- 
ence of 5,939, or 11,878 when the pups are included in the count, due 
solely to the presence of 7 active, extra bulls. 



10 



ALASKA FUR-SEAL ROOKERIES, 1910. 



Then, again, on the other rookeries an increase or decrease in the 
number of active males produces a corresponding rise or fall in the 
estimated number of cows. For gxample, on Vostochni there may 
be 6,500 cows and 200 active bulls. If 20 idle bulls, before the height 
of the season, secure 1 cow apiece, they enter the active list, and 
there are then 220 harems. As the average liarem is 31.7, this 
increase afTects the estimate to the extent of a gain of 634 cows, 
though in reality the number of cows has remained constant. At 
present this gain or loss in the active bull list outside of Kitovi is of 
relative unimportance, but it is conceivable that under certain cir- 
cumstances it may assume a more prominent role. 

I have in mind the fact that in treating this phase of the problem 
we are, after all, dealing in generalities, but the results maj^ become 
so general that they have little actual value. In my opinion it is 
highly desirable that a pup count on all of the rookeries be made 
during August, or even early in September, in stress of weather, or 
possibly after the sealing fleet has left Bering Sea; and again a 
similar survey should be made five years later, when the typical 
rookery could be determined and questions relating to the increase 
or decrease of the herd be settled beyond a reasonable doubt. 

ESTIMATES OF COWS AND PUPS. 

Assuming that the average liarem comprises 31.7 cows, the total 
number in tlie entire seal herd is computed in the following table: 

Computation of Cows and Pups on St. Paul and St. George Islands, 1897, 

1909, AND 1910. 



Rookery. 



St. Paul Island: 

Gorbatch 

Ardiguen 

Reef 

Sea Lion Rock. 

Kitovi 

Lukanin 

Polovina 

Polovina Clifls. 
Little Polovina 

Morjovi 

Zapadni 

Vostochni 

Little Zapadni. 
Zapadni Reef... 
Tolstoi 



1897 


1909 o 


1910 


9,086 


4,320 


3,551 


736 


355 


349 


13,393 


6,624 


6,530 


3,009 


2,196 


6 1,934 


5,289 


1,979 


1,966 


4,100 


1,404 


1,299 


4,218 


1,512 


1,585 


2,200 


828 


634 


1,180 


684 


380 


6,873 


1,620 


1,490 


13,511 


5,292 


3,740 


26,845 


6,624 


6, 467 


5,192 


2,232 


1,711 


3,041 


319 


222 


8,702 


3,132 


2,471 



Rookery. 



St. 



Paul Island— Contd. 

Tolstoi Clifls 

Lagoon 

Total 

George Island: 

Little East 

East 

Zapadni , 

Starava Artel 

North , 

Total 

Grand total 



2,891 
2,598 



112,023 



1,190 
3,776 
3,923 
1,681 
5,782 



16,342 



128, 365 



1909 o 



1,452 
693 



144 
2,340 
1,548 
1,512 
3,816 



9,360 



50,626 



1910 



285 



35.502 



127 
1,870 
1,490 
1,522 
3,266 



8,275 



43,777 



a Estimates of Mr. George A. Clark. 



b Estimated. 



In the above census it is to be remembered that the totals apply 
to cows and pups and that both together number 87,554 in 1910. 



ALASKA FUR-SEAL ROOKERIES, 1910. 11 

YEARLINGS AND 2- YEAR-OLDS. 

Of the various computations necessary to arrive at an estimate of 
the entire seal herd those concerned with the 2-3^ear-olds and year- 
Ungs are the least satisfactory. And yet by restricting the quota of 
skins taken to 3-year-olds we could in a relatively short period arrive 
at a fairly close approximation, and at the same time settle other 
vexed questions that are in need of solution. At the present time 
we are compelled to base our estimates largely on the quota and those 
males dismissed from the killing grounds. 

In the quota this year 10,210 skins weighed less than 7 pounds 
each, and 2,603 males were dismissed from the drives because they 
were undersized. Some of the latter were doubtless driven more than 
once, but even so it is probable that the number was not less than 
1,800. Besides these, 337 2-year-olds were branded early in the 
season. This accounts for 12,347. That there are yet others is evi- 
denced by the fact that fully 700 bachelors of killable size appeared 
on the hauling grounds of both islands in early August after the 
killing season, in addition to which there were probably other young 
animals in considerable numbers, though how many is uncertain. 
And it is probable, also, that some were at sea, but here again we have 
no exact information. A conservative estimate of 2-year-old males 
is therefore 13,000, which is also the number of virgin 2-year-old 
females that during the late summer arrived at the rookeries. 

It appears to be the general belief that in 1909 there were 12,000 
yearlings of each sex, and judging from estimates based on pup 
counts and the quota, the herd appears to have been stationary for 
the past three or four years. Hence we might suppose that the num- 
ber of yearlings for this year is approximately the same as last. 
However, it is possible that the estimates based largely on Kitovi are 
misleading and that the cjuota was maintained by closer and closer 
killing. Future observations alone will settle this question. In 
order to be on the safe side we may assume that a shrinkage of 10 
per cent has taken place and that accordingly the number of year- 
lings of each sex for the year 1910 is 10,800. 

THE RESERVE. 

For six years prior to 1910 two thousand 2 and 3 year old males 
were reserved annually, but as the brand, made by clipping the hair 
on the head, was not permanent, we have no means of knowing how 
many of these were subsequently killed. If 1,000 were actually 
exempted each year and there is an annual mortality of 10 per cent 
there should be between 500 and 600 this year remaining of the 
reserve of 1905. And if the decline of the present number of active 
bulls is approximately 300 there should this year be an increase of 



12 ALASKA FUR-SEAL ROOKERIES, 1910. 

over 200. As a matter of fact there is a slight decline, so that it 
appears that males exempted one year were killed the next. In 
reality, if we may judge fi'om the records of past years, there is no 
necessity of reserving annually a number greater than one-half of the 
total number of active bulls, but tliese should be chosen from the class 
that will be wigged next year, or branded with a permanent mark. 

This year 1 ,271 males were set aside as a reserve. Very nearly 1 ,000 
4-year-olds and older were dismissed from the drives. Some of these 
were doubtless driven more than once, but it is assuredly safe to 
conclude that 600 were actually present. In addition there were 
others on the water front and in the water to the number of at least 
100, and finally there were 605 idle and half bulls. This gives a 
total of 2,576, a number considerably in excess of the requirements. 

ESTIMATE OF ALL CLASSES. 

The following is an itemized estimated census of the seals forming 
the herd in 1910: 

Estimated Census op Seal Herd in 1910. 



Class. 



1910 



Active bulls 

Breeding cows. . . 
Pups 

Idle bulls 

Youn.r; bulls 

Bachelor reserve. 

2-year males 

2-year females . . . 
Yearling males. . 
Yearling females. 
Quota killed — 

Total 



1,381 

43, 777 

43, 777 

221 

384 

1,971 

5,500 

13,000 

10,800 

10, SCO 

13, 584 

145, 195 



According to this estimate and ]\Ir. Clark's estimate of 158,488 
for 1909, the herd has diminished by 13,293 within the past year. 
Whether this is a just conclusion must be decided by computations 
to be made during the next few years. Accuracy is impossible so 
long as the present methods are employed. During late years it has 
been assumed that the error is not greater than 12 per cent, and this 
is probably a fair conclusion. Last year the herd numbered be- 
tween 150,000 and 160,000; this year it seems to fall between 140,000 
and 150,000. 



ALASKA FUR-SEAL ROOKERIES, 1910. 13 

THE QUOTA. 

In 1897 it was estimated that the ratio of bachelors to the entire 
herd was 1:20; this year it is approximately 1:10. The conditions 
that have brought about this change are matters largely of conjecture, 
for our knowledge of the seal is too imperfect to warrant a satisfac- 
tory explanation. It is reasonably certain that the mortality among 
pups is less than formerly and, as Mr. Lembkey states in liis report 
of 1909, this would insure a proportionately larger return of yearlings, 
males and females, and subsequently of breeding cows, both of which 
are factors tending to the increase of bachelors. Then again the 
death rate of the young, estimated to be 50 per cent during the first 
year, may have been excessive and the proportion of bachelors to the 
the entire herd may have been greater than was estimated in 1897. 
But even if these problems were solved to our complete satisfaction 
they do not bear directly on the question of the conservation of the 
herd. As noted in another paragraph, the essential point to be set- 
tled is regarding the reserve. If it is sufficient to supply the requisite 
number of males, as the active ones disappear, then it appears to be 
the best policy to kill those remaining. The herd is dechning or at 
best stationar}^ The pelagic sealer is hovering about the islands 
and close killing diminishes his catch. That the quota should con- 
sist of the skins of S-j^ear-olds is obviously the most economical plan, 
but from a purely zoological standpoint this is a matter of detail and 
relatively unimportant. 

This year 10,749 skins were taken on St. Paul and 2,834 on St. 
George, a total of 13,583, or 785 less than in 1909. The weights of 
these, together wdth data relating to the drives and numbers dis- 
missed, are given in the report of the agent in charge. 

CONSERVATION AND SOME INVOLVED PROBLEMS. 

It has been seen from the foregoing paragraphs that the number 
of males for breeding purposes is sufficient, and this has been so for 
many years. On the other hand the number of females has been 
decreasing steadily, and there is no question but that the pelagic 
sealer is, and has been, an important factor in producing this decline. 
Furthermore, another fact is evident, that with the conservation of 
the females on land and the setting aside annually of a sufficient 
male reserve no additional care will add one jot or tittle to the number 
of cows. It is perfectly true that the elements involved in the prob- 
lem of the male reserve are intricate and some are not clearly under- 
stood, but in the last analysis the important question to be answered 
is this : Is there a sufficient number of males to take the place of those 
active on the rookeries ? and every year the answer has been in the 
affirmative. On land, killing may be close, and skins below the 



14 ALASKA FUR-SEAL ROOKERIES, 1910. 

maximum value may be taken, but if the females are protected and 
the male reserve be adequate other questions sinlv into a position of 
relative unimportance as the seal problem now presents itself. 

The foregoing paragraph is written from a purely biological stand- 
point, having m mind only the conservation of the herd, but there 
are other questions of a more practical bearing that should be settled 
before the sealing business can be conducted on the most economical 
basis. In the first place it is highly desirable that the number of 
pups born annually be more accurately determined, reducing the 
possible error below 10,000, where it stands at present. In 1896 the 
error was estimated to be about 6 per cent, but last year and this it 
is probably twice as great. With the herd approaching the vanishing 
point accuracy is more than ever a desideratum and should be had 
even at the cost of an unusual amount of labor. 

Again, we have no information, within narrow limits, of the number 
of males or females returning at the close of the first year, or if this 
be beyond computation, then of the number returning the second or 
even the third year. This, as the sexes are of approximately equal 
numbers, will give more nearly than any other practicable method 
the number of females taking their places on the rookeries. Beyond 
this time observations should be made to determine the number of 
reserved 3-year-olds that appear the next year, and finally the 
percentage that ultimately becomes active on the rookeries. From 
such observations the reserve of males may ultimately be made with 
an accurate knowledge of facts, and not with such hazy ideas as we 
have at present. 

It is highly desirable that the quota be taken from the males in 
prime condition, and I heartily agree with Mr. Lembkey and Mr. G. A. 
Clark, who argue in their reports of 1909 for the killmg of 3-year-olds. 
I am by no means convinced that even by the branding of every 
pup, and so destroying the fur to some extent, we can, by this means 
alone, reduce the value of the skin to such a degree that the pelagic 
sealer will be forced out of business. It may indeed be a fact, but 
the brands made in the past were in some cases fatal and are sup- 
posedly about all that the young seal is able to survive, and yet not 
over one-tenth or at most one-eighth of the fur is destroyed. The 
resulting depreciation of value will probably not amount to more 
than $10, and two San Francisco furriers place it as low as $5. The 
price of skins is gradually advancing and on the other hand we do 
not know what returns will pay the schooner owners to keep a ship in 
the sea. The crew, averaging 35, receives S5 per man each month 
(Captain Quinan of the revenue cutter Tahoma says $2.50) and 12^ 
cents goes to each man for every skin taken by his particular row- 
boat. Let us suppose each schooner is out six months, and, judging 
from past records, 8,000 skins will be taken this year, or 320 per 



ALASKA FUR-SEAL ROOKERIES, 1910. 15 

schooner. If the price per skin were only S15 ($30 was the price 
they received last year) S4,800 would certainly be a paying invest- 
ment. 

On the other hand there is another factor making toward the 
reduction of the sealing fleet which, together with the partial destruc- 
tion of the sldns through branding, may possibly put the pelagic 
sealer out of busmess or, more probably, so limit the number of 
vessels that an equilibrium of the seal herd may become a fixed 
feature. This element is competition. With 25 schooners in the 
sea, rivalry must this year have been very keen, and with a diminish- 
ing herd some competitors must sooner or later leave the field. Any 
depreciation in the value of skins must hasten the desirable result, 
provided — and here an unknown factor enters — that the price of 
skins does not advance. But with the decline of the number of 
skins it is probable that prices "will advance, and it appears very 
questionable whether branding and competition will drive away all 
of the pelagic fleet for many years to come. It may, however, make 
it possible for the herd to remain practically stationary until some 
form of treaty insures more perfect conservation. 

The branding process may be made to include the male pups, but 
as the pelagic sealer secures but few bachelors this would greatly 
destroy the value of the land catch without giving adequate returns. 
It is possible that the males dismissed from the drives might be 
penned up for a month or so, but unfortunately I can not speak with 
authority regarding this plan, that was once put into execution several 
years ago. Some advocates claim that it is entirely possible; that 
after a few days the captives show no signs of restlessness in their 
unnatural surroundings. Others are equally certain that the experi- 
ment was not a success, as several of the larger animals broke through 
the barriers and some less fortunate became restless in the extreme 
and finally died of exhaustion. Furthermore, it is reported the 
bachelors ordinarily put to sea from time to time in search of food, 
and it is difficult to see how food would be forthcoming even if they 
desisted from their attempts to escape. The fact that placing animals 
in captivity would prevent redriving does not appear in itself to be 
sufficient reason for carrying out the plan. If by these schemes we 
hope to drive the pelagic sealer from his elected calling then it 
seems to me they will not succeed, but that they may increase the 
value of the land catch is possible. 

THE QUESTION OF AN EQUILIBRIUM OF THE HERD. 

The question of an equihbrium of the herd is one of very high im- 
portance. In 1897 the Fur Seal Commission agreed that such a 
state of affairs would ultimately occur, and in 1909 Mr. G. A. Clark 
argues in favor of the possibihty that there is now an equilibrium. 



16 ALASKA FUE-SEAL ROOKERIES, 1910. 

Unfortunately, in the present year a sufficiently large pup count was 
not made whereby to settle the question. The estimated decline may 
be approximately correct or it may be due to the methods of taking 
the census. If an equilibrium does exist it means that if the number 
of guards stationed on the islands is sufficient to prevent poaching 
the entire land catch may amount annually to something in the 
neighborhood of 10,000 skins and the herd would be in no danger of 
extinction. If instead of allowing matters to rest as they are the 
Government orders the branding of female pups, then some of the 
pelagic sealers may be compelled to abandon their caUing, and the 
herd would probably increase, but there is nothing to prevent the 
return of the entire sealing fleet when the herd is larger and a profit- 
able catch may be made even though each skin is much reduced in 
value. 

As matters appear there is one way only whereby the pelagic 
sealer may be driven away entirely, and that is by the further reduc- 
tion of the seal herd. This is at best a cold-blooded proposition and 
win probably not meet with general approval, but there seems to be 
no other wa}^ to destroy the activity of the fleet. 

The question now stands, Shall the pelagic sealer be driven from 
the sea and the financial gam from the then highly diminished herd 
be reduced to a mmimum, or is it better policy to place the business 
more nearly on a paying basis though the pelagic sealer share in the 
returns ? Until pelagic sealing is discontinued by an agreement with 
the countries concerned the revenue fleet must be kept about the 
islands, under any circumstances the natives must be cared for, and 
in various ways a heavy ffiiancial outlay must be made annually. 
PersonaUy I favor the latter plan, reaping as large a harvest as is 
compatible with the conservation of the herd and at the same time 
leaving as little as possible to those on the high seas. 

THE PATROL AND PELAGIC SEALING. 

The revenue fleet maintained throughout the season of 1910 
a most thoroughgoing and careful patrol about the islands, where 
reefs, and shifty currents, and impenetrable fogs are of the most 
treacherous character. Three cutters, the Tahoma, Capt. Quinan, 
commanding; the Manning, Capt. Cardin; and the Perry, Capt. 
Haake, constituted the fleet, with Capt. Foley at Unalaska in com- 
mand. Prior to July 26 each vessel remained 12 days in the vicinity 
of St. Paul, and after 5 days returned from coaling at Unalaska. On 
the date named the Perry, during a dense fog, went ashore at Rocky 
Point on St. Paul and was never floated. The duties of the remaining 
vessels became correspondingly increased, but so far as known no 
schooner pushed inside of the S-mUe zone after this accident, and 



ALASKA FUR-SEAL ROOKERIES, 1910. 17 

generally speaking the infractions of the law throughout the season 
were of minor importance. 

Pelagic sealing, on the part of the Japanese, continued with 
unabated vigor. During this season 25 vessels were reported, 7 more 
than in 1909, and the reports in Capt. Foley's office in Unalaska show 
that each schooner carried approximately 25 to 40 men and from 
5 to 10 boats. Furthermore, several of these ships cleared from 
Japan early in the year, and, arriving at various points from Cali- 
fornia to Sitka, followed the herd to the breeding grounds in Bering 
Sea. In the vicinity of St. Paul Island, none ventured, so far as 
known, within the 3-mile zone, but in one or two instances violations 
were reported by the natives on St. George, where the revenue-cutter 
patrol is far less vigilant. On June 28 the Tokai Maru was seized 
and fined for violation of the alien fishing law, and on July 25 the 
Toro Maru was seized and fined for violation of the custom laws 
(section 2773 of the Revised Statutes). On July 18 two row boats 
were sighted in the vicinity of Zapadni, on St. George, so close to 
shore that one was seen to contain at least one unskinned seal. 
And again during foggy weather on July 30 two boats' crews from 
the schooner Hoho Maru landed at Northeast Point and Lukanin, 
respectively, and the next day 4 sailors from the Toro Maru were 
captured en route to Zapadni. Though pleading stress of weather, 
all were taken into custody and were subsequently tried in Unalaska. 

Generally speaking, the fleet operated to the east and north of St, 
Paul, presumably in the path of the seals leaving the Reef, Kitovi, 
Lukanin, the Polovinas, and Northeast Point. On July 10 the steamer 
Homer reported at least a dozen schooners with their attendant 
boats, which had formed a great circle between St. Paul and St. 
George and were slaughtering the seals compelled to cross the line 
of fire at two points. Although the nearest of these vessels was at 
least 8 miles from the shores of St. Paul, the reports of the shotguns 
could be heard distinctly on land, and a count I made on that day 
from 11.20 to 11.50 a. m. showed that 228 shots were fired, an average 
of 7.6 per minute. 

In this connection it may be mentioned that on certain days, 
owing to meteorological conditions, sounds travel amazing distances. 
According to Capt. Quinan, shots were heard one day in July seem- 
ingly weU within the 3-mile zone, but with the lifting of the fog the 
nearest boat was fully 7 miles distant. Somewhat later in the month 
a fusilade was distinctly heard on St. Paul, but with the clearing 
away of the mists not a single boat could be detected even with 
powerful glasses used from the top of a 70-foot hill. It thus becomes 
apparent that alleged transgressions, based on this species of evi- 
dence alone, are far from being trustworthy. 



18 ALASKA FUR-SEAL ROOKERIES, 1910. 

To an outsider the practice of having Japanese stewards aboard 
the cutters is not above criticism. They must inevitably come into 
possession of vakiable information that may be of service to Japanese 
prisoners, for whom they act as interpreters, if I am informed cor- 
rectly. Furthermore, the Japanese detained for 10 days on St. Paul 
this year were in constant communication with the natives of the 
village, and it was no fault of theirs if they did not learn more of the 
island than is disclosed by the chart. One has a certain amount of 
sympathy for the pelagic sealer, who receives a mere pittance for his 
services and is the only sufferer when his boat is captured; but his 
imprisonment is not a serious hardship, especially if he be allowed 
to work on the coal pile at $2 per day and is ultimately sent back to 
Japan. 

These are, after all, matters of comparative unimportance. The 
arrest, and even the severe punishment, of such offenders do 
not seriously interfere with the activities of the schooners and their 
owners. Such devices as branding to partially destroy the value of 
the skins, and of penning up male seals released from the drives, are 
not complete preventives, so that until an agreement is consummated 
the international struggle between watcher and watched must forever 
go on with all of the attendant aggravating features. It is possible 
that the herd is not in a state of equilibrium, but is actually dimin- 
ishing. If this continue the hunter on the high seas must ultimately 
vanish from the scene of his pernicious activity; but is the Govern- 
ment of the United States compelled to place the seal herd on the 
altar of sacrifice in order to bring about this desired result ? 

If this, indeed, be true then we must decide, and that right early, 
whether tliis be a lesser evil than the other, hypothetical to a certain 
degree, of branding the females, which form the greater portion of 
the pelagic catch, and by the depreciation of their skins, making it 
necessary for a greater number than at present to be taken with 
profit by the pelagic sealer. At the same time this would render 
it possible for an increased number of cows to escape and breed on 
the rookeries, and so add materially to the bachelor herd and conse- 
quently to the land catch, 

THE PELAGIC CATCH. 

Regarding the pelagic catch of this year, our evidence must rest 
upon a very slender reed — the reports of the Japanese themselves. 
According to these, 4,213 sldns were taken prior to August 15, of 
which 2,098 came from Bering Sea. Last year the reported Japanese 
catch up to August 15 was 4,954 skins. As a matter of fact, it was 
then probably twice as large, for the entire season's catch, as reported 
from the London market, was 10,561 skins. This year it is safe to 
predict that there will be at least 8,000. 



ALASKA FUR-SEAL ROOKERIES, 1910. 19 

COWS IN DRIVES. 

During the killing season proper, closing August 1, the discipUne 
maintained by the active bulls on the rookeries was very strict, and 
accordingly a very insignificant number of cows made their way into 
the neighborhood of the bachelors and were driven to the seaUng 
grounds. Such as did so, of course, were subsequently released. 
During a food drive on August 10, when the harems had commenced 
to disintegrate, several cows appeared in the drive, but I was unable 
to find a single one among the dead on the killing grounds. Doubt- 
less females may occasionall}^ be clubbed accidentally, but this year 
I can testify that the greatest care was exercised, and I know of no 
occurrences of the kind. 

FEEDING OF PUPS. 

For various reasons, up to the time of my departure from the 
islands, no atteriipt was made to raise pups. The pair handled 
successfully by Boatswain Thurber had shed the first coat and were 
fully 3 months old; he was unsuccessful with the young, black 
pups. These last named may possibly be reared if food of the proper 
character be fed, but at the present time we are ignorant of the com- 
position of seal's milk. In any event one must have not only a 
large store of patience but an abundance of time, and whatever 
may be said regarding the first requisite the latter is not forth- 
coming during the summer, when one is concerned with numerous 
other matters pertaining to the herd in general and must leave the 
islands in August. 

CAUSES OF DEATH. 

Under normal circumstances the life of the seal of either sex is 
probably from 12 to 13 years. Since the bulls are active for not 
more than five seasons, one-fifth of the active list dies each year, 
and as the cows are believed to breed during ten seasons one-tenth 
of their number disappears annually. 

Judging from the reports of former years the season of 1910 was 
one of comparative quiet. No fatalities due to fighting were noted 
among the bulls, and only one cow was discovered whose death may 
be attributed to rough handling on the part of a bull. 

On the killing grounds between 20 and 30 bachelors were found 
with from one to three buckshot imbedded in various parts of the 
body. Some of the resulting wounds were severe, but no deaths 
were directly traced to this cause. 

In earlier times the ravages of the parasitic worm, Uncinaria, were 
especially noticeable on the Tolstoi sand flat and portions of Zapadni, 
but in recent years, due to the shrinkage of the herd, these areas 
have been abandoned. Very few cases were noted by Dr. Chichester 



20 ALASKA FUR-SEAL ROOKEEIES, 1910. 

in 1909, and not one was detected tliis year. The dead pups dis- 
sected showed no lesions whatever, their emaciated appearance and 
empty alimentary canal indicating death from starvation. 

AGES OF SEALS. 

Last year 34 branded cows that had been marked as pups not 
later than 1902 were observed on the rookeries. This year 11 were 
seen prior to August 1, but during this time there is little opportunity 
to examine the cows critically, and later in the season such an exami- 
nation would produce an unwarrantable disturbance on the rookeries. 
However, the fact is established that there are branded cows in 
existence, and the time of their disappearance and their possible 
age may be decided at a later date. It is interesting to note that two 
cows on St. George bore the T brand of 1899. 

Practically every active bull on both islands was examined critically, 
but not a single brand was seen and none was reported by the gov- 
ernment agents or the natives. The branded bull on Kitovi, which 
last year completed his fifth season, has disappeared. Another 
bull, blind in one eye, occupied a site on Kitovi for the third season. 
In other years bulls with scars or other distinguishable marks have 
been seen at various stations, but these have rarely continued on the 
active list for more than three or four seasons. It is therefore an 
established fact that under ordinary circumstances the male becomes 
active at 8 years of age and lives three or four years thereafter. 
The age of the female is not known with the same degree of certainty, 
but it is commonly believed that she lives to the same age. 



APPENDIX— EXTRACT FROM FIELD NOTES. 

Beginning early in August, the harems begin to show signs of 
disorganization; the majority of the cows have been served and are 
free to come or go without serious let or hindrance; the idle and half 
bulls roam about at will and the breeding season thus passes into its 
last stage. From this time on observations producing no unwonted 
disturbance are to be made only from some place of concealment, 
such as are supplied by the cliffs of Ardiguen or Lukanin. To these 
two spots I repaired practically every day in August, and for varying 
lengths of time watched the life of the seal herd. It is unnecessary to 
detail observations that have already been recorded by several stu- 
dents of the subject, but I may voice again the general verdict that 
such a show of mammalian life is to be met with nowhere else on the 
face of the earth, and from several points of view it would indeed be 
a calamity if the seal meets the fate of the manatee, the sea otter, or 
the buffalo. 

Concerning other life on the islands, much has been said and much 
remains to be investigated. For many years the bird life has received 
the attention of the ornithologist and the more important phases of 
the problems involved have probably been settled; yet there are 
other matters of minor detail relating to stray migrants, nest mate- 
rials, and construction and feeding that well deserve attention. 

The insects of the islands are numerous and of all the animals or 
plants doubtless afford some of the most important and interesting 
problems, if not the very greatest, of purely scientific character re- 
maining to be solved. Omng to the brevity of the summer season, 
some of the stages in the life history are completed in a surprisingly 
short space of time, and a comparison of the life liistories of related 
insects in adjoining regions would be interesting to say the least. 
Furthermore, the conditions under wliich they survive the winter 
will also be an interesting chapter in the life of the island organisms. 

The flowering plants have been the subject of much study, and it 
is doubtful if many novelties will be recorded in the future. To a less 
extent tliis is true of the Uchens, but there are unquestionably small 
species that have escaped detection; and again there are modifica- 
tions due to habitat that make it altogether possible that superficially 
similar forms may in reality be distinct species. Among the fungi 
there are certainly new forms. On some of the upland slopes in the 
early season I have found species that do not correspond to any 
described in the reports of the region. 



22 ALASKA FUR-SEAL EOOKERIES, 1910. 

It is liiglily desirable that a museum be installed on the islands, 
containing, so far as is practicable, specimens of all the animals and 
plants. And equally desirable is a library, comprising all works that 
in any way are concerned with the biology of the country. 

Fuially, one word relating to the natives. Considering their ante- 
cedents, and especially their former mode of life and lack of advan- 
tages, these people have made truly remarkable strides, and yet there 
is obviously room for improvement. By nature conservative, they 
are somewhat nonplastic, but at heart they are anxious to better their 
condition, and they do respond with comparative readiness to all 
uplifting influences. In matters relating to personal hygiene there is 
much to be desired, and, improved, their span of life will doubtless 
be lengthened to a very noticeable degree. And, again, it is highly 
desirable that duruig the long and confining winter both the men and 
women have something to occupy their time — something profitable 
and yet agreeable, and if possible with a resulting value in some 
larger community. It is difficult to decide what is best. Numerous 
plans have suggested themselves, but none of them are free from cer- 
tain inherent difficulties, and I earnestly hope that those more com- 
petent may give the subject their serious consideration, for certainly 
this species of missionary work carries a rich reward. 

In addition to the questions here outlined are others of deep import. 
Years ago Darwin called attention to the remarkable similarity of 
the animals on the Galapagos Islands to those on the western 
slope of South America, and on the basis of this likeness formulated 
his theory of evolution. Doubtless on the Pribilof Islands the same 
conditions exist when compared with others of the mainland. Exten- 
sive breeding experiments are being carried on in several sections of 
our country, but it is by no means certain that new species are cre- 
ated in the period measured by a man's life or even in a hundred 
years. On the islands, however, in a normal habitat, evolutionary 
agencies have doubtless made their influence felt, even though the 
islands are geologically young. It seems therefore wise to make 
extensive collections of the island fauna and flora, to study these 
critically, and, finally, to compare them with related species on the 
mainland. These results might be very interesting when considered 
in connection with the newly formed island of Bogoslof. On this 
body of land, forced above the sea within the memory of man, we 
already find plants thriving, and there are doubtless animals on the 
land or along the shore. Even if there are no visible differences 
between organisms on this island and those of the Aleutian chain, 
we may gain some insight into the means whereby their transporta- 
tion has been accomplished, and if collections and careful notes 
are kept in the near future the evolutionary side of the subjects may 
be studied sometime in the years to come. 

o 



